Alternator size

Slappp

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I need help choosing an alternator size. Is there a formula that helps determine what is right for your car?

I have a 99 LexuS LS400 with an oem 100A alternator. The mono amp I plan on running for subs is a 3000W amp which manufacturer says has a max music consumption of 190A. Will a 320A alternator (along with big 3 of course) be enough to run this amp without a secondary battery? I don't play music with my car off. I have no idea if an alternator that size is enough or if it's unnecessarily big.
 

metalheadjoe

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Are you trying to avoid a dead battery or headlight dimming?

Alternators prevent dead batteries. Batteries and capacitors prevent headlight dimming.
 
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hispls

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What amp? "max music consumption of 190A" sound odd to me. What size fuse/s does the amp have?
Really depends on your definition of "music". I rarely opened 80A fuses running 1200W amps.

Still though, I wouldn't count on just a high output alternator keeping up with a 3000W amp if you like playing bass heavy music. Would possibly be a good application for supercap bank though.
 
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Slappp

CarAudio.com Newbie
What amp? "max music consumption of 190A" sound odd to me. What size fuse/s does the amp have?
Taramps Smart Bass 3. On their website they gave that figure in the specifications.
Really depends on your definition of "music". I rarely opened 80A fuses running 1200W amps.

Still though, I wouldn't count on just a high output alternator keeping up with a 3000W amp if you like playing bass heavy music. Would possibly be a good application for supercap bank though.
Yea Bass heavy is the type of music I will play. Have not bought the amp yet so still need to figure what size fuse. Sounds like I need to be researching a super cap bank as well. Any recommendations for a 3000W amp?
 

hispls

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Sounds like I need to be researching a super cap bank as well.
Second battery would be simpler if you can deal with the space and weight. The Maxwell brand supercaps may also do the job for you assuming your alternator makes enough current to run that amp but will only need a second's worth of reserve to keep the amp properly fed while the alternator loads down as needed.

Search the site, there's likely someone using those supercaps and there's definitely pre-made bus bars and such on the market for our applications.
 
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Slappp

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Second battery would be simpler if you can deal with the space and weight. The Maxwell brand supercaps may also do the job for you assuming your alternator makes enough current to run that amp but will only need a second's worth of reserve to keep the amp properly fed while the alternator loads down as needed.

Search the site, there's likely someone using those supercaps and there's definitely pre-made bus bars and such on the market for our applications.
I've been looking into an IOXUS ultra cap. Any experience with those?
 

metalheadjoe

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Taramps Smart Bass 3. On their website they gave that figure in the specifications.

Yea Bass heavy is the type of music I will play. Have not bought the amp yet so still need to figure what size fuse. Sounds like I need to be researching a super cap bank as well. Any recommendations for a 3000W amp?
40ah of LiFePO4 (lithium secondary battery) would solve all your problems.
 
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hispls

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I've been looking into an IOXUS ultra cap. Any experience with those?
Nope. Everybody I've seen in the car audio world uses Maxwell. Not saying anything else is bad, but just never seen them in use in car audio so best do your homework researching.
 

audiobaun

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I need help choosing an alternator size. Is there a formula that helps determine what is right for your car?

I have a 99 LexuS LS400 with an oem 100A alternator. The mono amp I plan on running for subs is a 3000W amp which manufacturer says has a max music consumption of 190A. Will a 320A alternator (along with big 3 of course) be enough to run this amp without a secondary battery? I don't play music with my car off. I have no idea if an alternator that size is enough or if it's unnecessarily big.
That Alt and The largest AGM with another matching should be just fine. vehicle should be running at all times to maintain proper voltage when playing the stereo. It takes power to make power... Supply for the demand
 
3000w / 14.4v = 208 amps.
208 amps / .85 % (amp efficiency) = 245 amps is what you should expect your amp to draw. 190 seems underrated.

100 amps for the factory vehicle is probably a little oversized on what you actually use, but that's your fuel injection, computer, headlights, turn signals, brake lights, gauges, your two biggest are electric fans and Air conditioner.

320a sounds about right size for your alt, if that's what your alt will put out. If you haven't bought the alt yet, you want to know two things. Amps at (or near) idle, and what rpm for full output. If a manufacturer can't give you both, then keep looking. A cheap 320 alt will do less at idle than your factory 100, and won't do max output until over 3K rpms, (which you will never be cruising at). A quality alt will do more than half at idle, and full somewhere around 2K. They will also be able to give you an actual curve of your actual alternator. You should know those numbers, and where your cruising rpm is, before buying.

You're clearly going to need an alt to keep that going. You will probably need a battery too, but if you do the alt, and your lights dim as it hits, (and you have done the big 3, and your electrical is good), then your battery is too small, (too small of an output). If you crank it up, and your voltage drops after 30minutes to an hour, then your alt is too small.


A battery is a storage bank. If you only listen to your music when your engine is running, (and your alt is charging), then you only need enough to keep it going. If you play your music with the engine off, and need it to play for a longer time, then you would need another battery so you have a reserve / larger storage bank. You probably need a new battery, but what you don't want is to buy an alternator, and it's just too small, and then you need another one. There is no reason you can't go bigger if that's an option, but your numbers sound like they work if the RPMs will keep that alt charging at the rate you need it to.
 
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